Kali van der Merwe is an artist, photographer and
filmmaker. For the past three years she has focussed on putting herself and occasionally
others in front of her cameras, creating imaginative,
mythological
portraits. She also looks deeply into the fynbos imaging
up-close their magical beauty.
Joshua Miles is fast becoming one of South Africa’s leading printmakers.
His sought after reduction woodblock prints of local scenes capture natures
light with all its
subtle nuances.
Niel Jonker’s in situ landscape paintings are remarkable, capturing
fleeting moments in an ever changing landscape. His acclaimed bronze sculptures
are exhibited in his breathtaking garden.
Amanda Jephson lives on a farm, complete with nursery and an atmosphere
of pure tranquility. Her expressive paintings and drawings of her precious cats
and creatures that share her life, as well as her landscape and still life
paintings reflect her innate sense of colour.
Lizzie van der Berg’s home and studio on Tierfontein farm is nestled
against the mountain, surrounded by fynbos. She has spent much time perfecting the art of
Gyotaku, an ancient Japanese print making technique using sumi ink to create an
impression of a fish on rice paper.
Nikki Miles is a book illustrator, freelancing for many of the country’s
leading publishers. She will be exhibiting her decoupaged buck skulls, Nguni paintings and illustrative birds in a variety
of media.
Phillip John produces unique dung sculptures with a strong influence of
African tribal art.
Daniel Giffin fire pots will keep the chill away this winter and his
beautiful ceramics are functional works of art. His mom Kali produces exquisite
hand painted textiles to add even more warmth, beauty and colour to your home.
Colleen Eminis shares her smallholding with a remarkable array of beasts
from goats, cows, pigs, chickens and horses to her huge family of rescued dogs.
She works in a variety of media and has produced some splendid etchings for the
art route.
A LOOK INTO THE LIFE OF:
LIZZIE VAN DEN BERG
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Lizzie van der Berg works from her studio on Tierfontein farm. She studied Fine Art at UNISA and worked in mural restoration for 6 years before making her mark in the film industry as a scenic painter. After 15 years of working internationally in the crazy film industry, Lizzie took a well deserved 3 month respite to concentrate on her fine art and reconnect with her passion for oil painting. These 3 months of painting full time culminated in her first art route and the rest, as they say, is history.
Lizzie works in oil, painting directly from the landscape. She has also spent much time perfecting the art of Gyotaku (“gyu”- fish, and “taku”- impression). This is an ancient Japanese print making technique using sumi ink to create an impression of a fish on rice paper.
The home that she shares with her partner James, is a thick walled, traditional farm house on a flower farm, providing fynbos and cape greens to the export flower market. Inside the house an entire wall is dedicated to their collection of books. Lizzies studio fills the living space and her beautiful work adorns the walls. The atmosphere is peaceful, with the afternoon light filtering in through the windows.
Outside the house, their collection of sculptural succulents adds visual interest before your eyes drift over to the uninterrupted view of the Overberg landscape.
One can understand why Lizzie finds it so hard to drag herself away to the city to work on a few carefully selected film industry jobs every year.
Both Lizzie and James have a vast knowledge of the local fynbos and are passionate about preserving the rich flora and fauna of the area. The farm is pristine, not an alien in sight.
Their Bbos Honey, from hives scattered over the farm, is unprocessed, unheated, pure fynbos honey. I love the label, created by fellow artist Joshua Miles. It’s my new favourite gift idea. So now all my mates know what they are getting for their birthdays this year. 2012, year of honey!
WATCH THIS SPACE FOR THE NEXT ARTISTS PROFILE!
